Apart from the marine and nature parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and forest reserves, tourism attractions can also be found in the rural areas of Sabah. This is where community-based tourism comes in.
Community-based tourism, or CBT for short, is an initiative to promote sustainability and improve the livelihood of the community in an area. It emphasizes on the development and involvement of the people in developing and managing their own tourism destination and products.
Establishing multi-country destinations primarily focused on community-based ecotourism is one of the priority measures for tourism under the BIMP-EAGA program. This involves working with local governments, communities, and the private sector to develop tourist destinations; set up infrastructure and facilities to improve connectivity and protect tourism assets; and increase efforts to ensure tourists’ comfort and safety.
Here are 30 places to visit in Sabah for rural tourism:
- Suspension Bridge, Tamparuli
- Mantob Farmstay, Kiulu
- Poturidong Village, Kiulu
- Sinurambi, Tambunan
- Mahua Waterfall, Tambunan
- White Water Rafting, Kiulu
- Gombizau Honey Village, Kudat
- Sumangkap Gong Making Village, Kudat
- Bavanggazo Longhouse, Kudat
- Rundum Highland, Tenom
- Polumpung Melangkap View Camp, Kota Belud
- The Tip of Borneo, Kudat
- Tegudon Tourism Village, Kota Belud
- Batu Punggul, Nabawan
- Melangkap Eco Tourism, Kota Belud
- Villla Valley View Eco Tourism, Kota Belud
- Marais Centre, Tuaran
- Lombon Marakau, Ranau
- Tukad Gonipis Tudan, Ranau
- Arnab Village Purakagis, Ranau
- Kundasang, Ranau
- Lobong Long Village, Kota Belud
- Borneo Bayau Flying Fox, Kota Belud
- Supirak Island Malubang, Pitas
- Bukit Tengkorak, Semporna
- Paddy Field, Ranau
- Kadamaian River, Kota Belud
- Maglami Lami Waterhouse, Semporna
- Terintidon Village, Kota Kinabalu
- Mantanani Island, Kota Belud
For more information on these destinations, visit Sabah Rural Tourism or the Sabah Tourism Board.